ALBANY – Following the state legislature’s passage of legislation aimed at creating jobs and growing New York’s economy, State Senator Daniel Squadron asked Governor Cuomo to invest part of the New York Works Infrastructure Fund in key projects in the 25th Senate District: the rehabilitation of the Brooklyn Queens-Expressway (BQE), an incentive program for Lower Manhattan businesses to increase energy efficiency, and a new academic center at New York City College of Technology (City Tech).

In his State of the State address, the Governor laid out a vision to build on the progress of the past year and continue to move New York forward. Two priorities in particular that he laid out - an end to the practice of fingerprinting food stamp recipients and reforming our campaign finance system - are ready for immediate passage.

NEW YORK -- Today, State Senator Daniel Squadron released the following statement in response to the proposed district lines just released by the Senate Republicans:

Even though the worst of the Republican political shenanigans aren't impacting the district I represent as they are some of my colleagues' districts, the conclusion is undeniable: partisan redistricting is a poisonous process.

Before the 2010 election, every member of the Senate majority pledged to create an independent redistricting process. Now they are breaking the pledge they made to the people and putting politics before their promise. It's no surprise that these politically motivated maps represent the same arrogance as their broken pledge: politicians choosing their constituents, so that constituents lose the power to choose their representatives.

As the Governor has said, any lines drawn in this process must not stand. Voters must make their voices heard now so that their votes can make a difference in November.

Squadron-Lancman Legislation Would Make NY National Leader in Fight Against Citizens United

ALBANY – Today, State Senator Daniel Squadron and Assemblyman Rory Lancman pushed back against Senate Republican efforts to stall their campaign finance reform legislation, with Senator Squadron initiating a petition for chamber consideration to move the bill forward. The legislation would make New York a national leader in the fight against the 2010 Citizens United Supreme Court decision and give people, rather than corporations, a stronger voice in the political process.

The "Corporate Political Activity Accountability to Shareholders Act" (S101/A696A) would require shareholder approval for corporate political contributions, public disclosure of the contributions, and justification of the business rationale for making them.

This afternoon, the Corporations, Authorities, and Commissions Committee voted to prevent the legislation from moving out of committee. Senator Squadron has now begun circulating a petition for chamber consideration of the bill, which would bring the bill to the Senate floor if 38 signatures are collected from Senators.

“As we look on in horror at the impact of Citizens United, New York has an opportunity to actually do something about it. Yet today, the Senate Republicans chose corporate interests over the interests of real people,” said Senator Squadron. “Make no mistake: unlimited corporate contributions are a threat to our democratic process. By reining in unchecked political influence and bringing desperately-needed transparency to the process, our bill would be a key step toward countering the flood of corporate influence that washes away the voice of regular people. I urge my colleagues to stand up for people over corporations in our politics and join the effort to move this bill to the floor."

ALBANY -- Last night, State Senator Daniel Squadron released the following statement upon Senate votes to approve redistricted lines and a constitutional amendment:

Make no mistake, for New Yorkers, these redistricting bills are more of the same old Albany. They mean politicians choosing their constituents, so that constituents have less ability to choose their representatives -- not just for ten years but permanently.

For too long, our politics have been drowned in a flood of corporate political spending that undermines the voices of real people.

And it's gotten worse: the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision has meant even more corporate cash is flooding into politics. New York must push back against these special interests by improving shareholder control and corporate disclosure.

Resolution Urges Constitutional Amendment: Corporations Are Not Entitled to Same Rights as People

ALBANY – Today, State Senator Daniel Squadron announced that the Senate Republican leadership has blocked a floor debate on his resolution which states that corporations are not entitled to the same protections or rights as people when it comes to money in politics.

ALBANY -- State Senator Daniel Squadron, the sponsor of legislation to close gaps in New York's assault weapons ban -- including by making illegal the military-style gun used in Newtown, CT and Webster, NY -- applauded Governor Cuomo's proposals to strengthen the state's gun laws, reform New York's campaign finance system, decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana in public view, and raise New York's minimum wage, in today's State of the State.